Bm7b5 Piano Chord
A key chord of minor jazz. Occurs naturally as the ii chord in minor keys (in ii–V–i progressions). Less tense than the fully diminished seventh chord.
Recommended voicing
B3 · D4 · F4 · A4
With bass · rootless
Left hand
F3 · A3 · D4
fingers 5–3–1
Right hand
Free
melody / improvisation
Jazz accompaniment with a bass player: the bass supplies the root, leaving the right hand free for melody or improvisation.
Other names for the Bm7b5 chord
Other names: B minor 7th flat 5, B half-diminished, Bø7, Bm7♭5
Music theory name: half-diminished seventh chord
Common name: B half-diminished chord
Notes and intervals in the Bm7b5 chord
| Note | Interval |
|---|---|
| B | Root |
| D | Minor 3rd |
| F | Diminished 5th |
| A | Minor 7th |
Inversions
1st inversion
D4 · F4 · A4 · B4
2nd inversion
F4 · A4 · B4 · D5